Back in the saddle

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After the annual extended “break” between the final minicamp and the start of training camp, a certain P-I Seahawks beat reporter is back – for what will be a 30th season covering the team.

Things have been pretty quiet in Hawkville the past five weeks, as the players and coaches also got away for some R&R before the treadmill shifts into high gear. But there have been some items worth noting:

Neither the agents for Jackson, a defensive lineman from USC, and Carlson, a tight end from Notre Dame, nor Seahawks management consider this a big deal. There was a delay in most signings in the top two rounds while a special master ruled on a grievance filed by the NFL Players Association against the NFL management council on how to count guaranteed “one-time bonuses” against the salary cap. The ruling came down over the weekend – in favor of the NFLPA – and should prompt a rush of signings this week.

The more important date for the Seahawks is Friday, when two-a-day practices begin, and the coaches think Jackson and Carlson will be signed by then.

* Fourth-round pick Red Bryant, a defensive tackle from Texas A&M, and fifth-rounder Owen Schmitt, a fullback from West Virginia, have agreed to four-year deals. When each signs, another player will have to be released for the Seahawks to remain at the 80-man roster limit. They currently have 84 players on the roster.

* Three players were released after the final minicamp: guard Dustin Dickson, wide receiver Chas Gessner and center Nick Jones. Those moves allowed the team to sign snapper Tyler Schmitt and kicker Brandon Coutu – sixth- and seventh-round round picks.

* The team’s personnel department also underwent a reshuffling because Mike Phair left scouting to become assistant linebackers coach.

Eric Stokes replaced Phair as the west area scout, with opened Stokes’ midwest slot for Ed Dodds, who had been an assistant in the pro personnel department. Jason Barnes, an intern, was promoted to Dodds’ old spot.

Also, Matt Berry was hired to become the southwest regional scout. Berry spent the past five seasons with – you guessed it – the Atlanta Falcons. Club president Tim Ruskell was with the Falcons (as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) before being hired by the Seahawks in 2005. Ruskell not only trusts his roots, he continues to tap them in filling vacancies with the Seahawks.